Woodland Joint Unified

 

Lafferty, who teaches science at Pioneer High School, served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1996-2002. From 1996-2000 she was at back-to-back search and rescue stations in the Gulf of Mexico. She then finished her service as a health services dental technician at the Academy in New London, CT.

 

“I was a dental assistant as well as an emergency services technician (EMT) at the Academy in New London, CT,” said Lafferty. “Before that I was at search-and-rescue stations as a boarding crew member and EMT. We went out when there was a Mayday call or on our patrols.”

 

Her job meant she had to mature at an early age and go into harm's way to rescue people.

 

“I loved that I was actually making a difference at such a young age,” she said. “Going straight from high school to the military was definitely a shock, but it made me grow up quickly, and I needed that.  We, as a team, saved a lot of people. My favorite experience was when we pulled people out from the Gulf of Mexico's hands and they said, ‘Thank you. You saved my life.’" 

 

As a woman serving in the military, Lafferty also had to overcome gender discrimination.

 

“I faced a lot of challenges during my time in the military,” said Lafferty, who was a Petty Officer 3rd Class. “The first and obvious challenge was the fact that I was a female and there were certain men that didn't want me there. As a woman I had to prove myself ten times more than the males, even when I had more experience than that particular male.

 

“The first time I was on the crew to pick up a body, the coxswain said, just to me, ‘You better not freak out, out there!’" Lafferty added. “He didn't say that to any of the males on board. I didn't lose it, but others did. I had to prove that I could do the job.”

 

Serving in the military means different things to people, and for many it is a source of pride in their service and their accomplishments.

 

“Serving was the best decision I made at that age,” Lafferty said. “I am proud of the people we saved and the ones we recovered and brought back to their families. We gave closure, both good and bad.”

 

Now a teacher, Lafferty said her military experience has helped her throughout her civilian careers.

 

“Oh my! I have learned that life is short and everyone has a story to tell,” she said.